Order to Scrap New Math Texts RescindedL.A. Unified: In clash of philosophies, books were approved, theneliminated and finally reinstated.

By LOUIS SAHAGUN, Times Staff WriterLouis.Sahagun@latimes.com

Moving to quell a furor over traditional versus progressive mathinstruction, Los Angeles schools Supt. Ruben Zacarias on Thursday rescindedan order by his top staffers to eliminate textbooks used in a federallyfunded enrichment program for poor minority students.

In an interview, Zacarias said he was unaware of the July 23 order fromthe office of Deputy Supt. Liliam Castillo that would have prohibitedbuying any of the math books critical to the survival of the Los AngelesSystemic Initiative.

The five-year, $20-million program, offered at 30 of the city's 49 publichigh schools, aims to introduce urban students to advanced math and scienceusing innovative methods.

The order to stop using the math books, which officials said wasrecommended by Los Angeles County consultants who are actively opposed toprogressive math and therefore the program, also contradicted Board ofEducation policy.

On July 7, the board had formally approved the same textbooks on thegrounds that they were aligned with California standards for mathinstructional materials.

"We said the original list meets state standards, and as far as I'mconcerned, that list stands," Zacarias said. "If there was an orderlimiting those textbooks, we will cancel that order."

Zacarias added: "I'm going to look into the way this was handled."

In the meantime, the mixed signals and seeming lack of communication amongtop educators increased confusion over the fate of the program, which isfunded by the National Science Foundation and matching district grants.

Not surprisingly, schools that had already invested heavily in progressivemath books [e.g., IMP, Core Plus] reacted angrily to the earlierannouncement, which came without consultation, a mission statement or atransition plan for moving from one method of teaching to another.

Beyond that, a recent independent analysis of the program reported thatthe program has been very successful in "getting more high school studentsto take Advanced Placement math and science courses and pass AP exams. . .. In math, [Los Angeles Systemic Initiative] schools outperformed non-[LosAngeles Systemic Initiative] schools at the elementary and high schoolslevel."

Generally, progressive, or integrated, math weaves together strands ofstatistics, geometry and algebra in lessons that are often based onsituational problems. Critics call it "fuzzy math" and say it places lessemphasis on practicing calculation skills than traditional math, whichrelies more on memorization and drills.

Janet Miller, who teaches progressive math at Huntington Park High School,said: "First, they said, 'Use the books.' Then, it was, 'Burn the books.'Now, it's 'Use the books.' I'm beginning to wonder if a turf battle at thehighest levels is to blame."

Bev Cook, secondary vice president at the United Teachers-Los Angelesunion, put it another way: "That's how the district does everything:without thinking things through. It's terribly frustrating. They shouldhave consulted with teachers before making these decisions."

"There's a move to eliminate anything but old-style math," said Bob Drake,a National Board Certified integrated math teacher at Roosevelt HighSchool. "But it's only striking against inner-city schools where kids needa different approach--they need to see, touch and feel what they arelearning."

Before Zacarias' action, Bob Collins, director of curriculum instruction,insisted that the program should be modified to include greater emphasis ontraditional math. The shift would ensure that students are being taught tostandards and would broaden participation, he said.

Castillo could not be reached for comment. But Collins said the teachingstrategies used in the program's projects, which range from extensivebutterfly gardens to camera-equipped Mars Rover models, could be "meldedwith standards we are governed by."